Anna is originally from Northfield MN and graduated from Northfield Senior High School in 2007. She then attended Loyola University of Chicago, where she double majored in English and Women's Studies and Gender Studies, minored in Art History and discovered her passion for community journalism.
During her four years at Loyola, Anna was consistently involved in the writing and production of Loyola's weekly student newspaper, the Loyola Phoenix. At the Phoenix, she worked specifically as an arts reviewer, reporter, columnist, assistant editor and section editor. While attending Loyola, she also interned at Chicago Art Magazine and began freelancing for Northfield Patch, where she discovered her love for hyperlocal reporting.
After graduating in May 2011, Anna briefly moved to Washington DC to work as a press intern for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Anna is ecstatic to be returning to her home state, where she hopes to strengthen area communities by delivering accurate, engaging and relevant hyperlocal journalism.
<strong>Beliefs</strong>
<i>At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable.</i>
<i>This disclosure is not a license for us to inject our beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that our beliefs are on the record will cause us to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.</i>
<strong>Politics</strong>
<i>* How would you describe your political beliefs?</i>
The extreme bipartisan divide in contemporary America has left me disenchanted with national politics. However, as a former Women's Studies and Gender Studies major, I have a strong interest in women's issues and self-identify as a feminist.
<strong>Religion</strong>
<i>* How religious would you say you are? Casual, observant, devout, non-religious?</i>
I was raised Catholic, received a Catholic elementary education and attended a Catholic university. However, these days I would say my strongest spiritual belief is that everything happens for a reason.
<strong>Local Hot Button Issues</strong>
* <i>What do you think are the two or three most important issues facing the community?</i>
Local government and policy is of critical importance, as it affects everyone in the community. And, of course, a community's schools are integral in determining its future, so education is definitely another important issue.
<i>* Where do you stand on each of these issues?</i>
As with national politics, I tend to form my opinions as issues arise and evolve. My primary stance on community issues is that an engaged and invested community is a strong one.
This week's Neighbors to Know are James Hughes and Alyssa Israel, co-plaintiffs in the downtown Fairfield cherry tree removal lawsuit.
See what's happening this week in Fairfield — check out the Patch calendar.
Stop Asian Hate rally held by Fairfield students / Get vaccinated, get a free drink / In defense of public hearings: letter
About 80 people attended Saturday's Stop Asian Hate rally on Zoom. State Sen. Tony Hwang and U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy were among the speakers.
"Let’s not allow the voice of the public to be silenced," writes Fairfield resident Alexis Harrison.
Fisher the Boston terrier went missing July 4, 2020, while his family was on vacation. They never gave up hope of finding him.
Here's what's happening at Town Hall and across Fairfield this week.
People seeking a coronavirus vaccine can get one Sunday at Sacred Heart University, where Pfizer doses are available without an appointment.
An escaped cow was on the moo-ve Saturday in Fairfield, with police following in its wake.
The man struck a utility pole and fled officers on foot, according to Fairfield police.
Town-by-town vaccine updates / Red zone map in Connecticut features less red / FAFSA completions down in CT
Strangers attempted to derail a meeting of Fairfield's Racial Equity and Justice Task Force, but the group's co-chair told them off.
Thursday's meeting of the Racial Equity and Justice Task Force was interrupted by racist comments from an unidentified person, police said.
3 killed, including toddler, in CT crash / CT hits 2 important coronavirus vaccine milestones / Sports legend's CT home listed for $16.45M
Since opening their restaurant, Sonia Lopez and Marvin Rivera have donated food to vaccine clinic volunteers, police and firefighters.
Sonia’s Gourmet Kitchen opened in mid-March, and has donated meals to Fairfield vaccine clinics, police and firefighters.
The Fairfield Health Department has extra doses of the Moderna vaccine available until 5 p.m.
Student and program-specific data are among the factors that determine the rank.
She was accused of screaming obscenities and shoving a customer so hard he suffered an injury, according to Fairfield police.
Fairfield grad programs nationally ranked / Fairfield area hospital capacity update / READ ID deadline approaching for CT residents
